Bacon studied briefly at the University of Illinois, Urbana (1884), but left to begin his architectural career as a draftsman, eventually serving in the office of McKim, Mead & White (New York City), probably the most widely known architectural firm of its time. Bacon’s works of that period were in the late Greek Revival and Beaux-Arts modes associated with the firm’s creations. His more important works include the Danforth Memorial Library, Paterson, N.J. (1908); the train station in Naugatuck, Conn., built as an Italian villa; the Observatory and other buildings at Wesleyan University; and the Union Square Savings Bank, New York City.